Disabled Adults Get Help from Dogs, Group

ATLANTA - Everyone is familiar with the term "man's best friend," but to some, dog's are the link to independence.

One organization is teaming up with a dog trainer and giving developmentally disabled adults a chance to take the lead.

There's nothing like a well-trained dog. But teaching a dog basic commands can prove to be one the hardest things to do. But for a group of people, teaching a dog new tricks is the key to learning how to live independently.

At Atlanta Dog Trainer, a special training session is about to take place - and the trainers just arrived

The clients are Buddy, Maggie and Hezekiah and while they'll likely go over their basic homework that includes sit and stay. In this case, it's their trainers who will likely learn lessons.

The group is from Hands for Hire. They're adults with developmental disabilities, but they are all working on their independence.

And they've found that learning how to interact and train dogs has enhanced that goal.

"There is a bond between them and the dogs more strong than even we could have. It's like they just go together. When they get together it's just magic," said Krista Buccleugh of Hands for Hire.

Weekly, they meet with trainers from Atlanta Dog Trainer. They learn how to approach them, feed and even groom them.

"They're very consistent and they memorize what we say. They remember the commands from week to week and we can't even get our clients to do that," said Susie Aga of Atlanta Dog Trainer.

Program organizers say they've seen some in the group go from shy to outgoing. And it's that confidence they can take out in the world around them. Juanita Ballard has done so well, she's now a trainer at Atlanta Pet Rescue.

"I teach them sit, stay, go to your mat and leave it," said Juanita Ballard. "It really does take time for you to learn. When I first started out I thought, 'Oh boy it's not working out. Then after awhile, the dogs start loving me and they started doing it."

"It is just amazing to see how excited and how much richer their lives are just by learning to interact with dogs," said Buccleugh.

"The dog is the bond. They wouldn't normally go up to someone to greet them but the dog is the one that brings it all together. It's just been amazing working with them," said Aga.

Three of the clients in the Hands for Hire program now have jobs working with dogs.